An imam in Bradford has been jailed for 12 years after a court heard he used claims of supernatural powers to manipulate a 16-year-old girl into a sexual relationship that lasted 18 months.

Ilyas, 52, admitted to sexual assault and coercion during a trial at Bradford Crown Court, where prosecutors described how he exploited the teenager’s vulnerability. The victim, now 19, told police she believed Ilyas could see her sins and punish her with misfortune if she refused his demands. The assaults occurred on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2023 at the mosque and in nearby locations, including his car.

The court heard Ilyas, who had worked at the mosque for over a decade, used his position of trust to isolate the girl from her family. Prosecutor Sarah Bradley described how Ilyas convinced the victim he could “see into her soul” and that any disobedience would result in divine retribution. The abuse escalated from inappropriate touching to full sexual assaults, often under the guise of “spiritual cleansing.”

Judge Rebecca Wade described Ilyas’s actions as “a grotesque exploitation of religious authority” and said the sentence reflected the “profound breach of trust.” The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke during the sentencing via a pre-recorded video statement, saying she felt “trapped in a nightmare” where she believed she had no escape. “He made me feel like I had no choice,” she said. “I thought if I told anyone, something terrible would happen to me or my family.”

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed this was the first case in West Yorkshire where supernatural claims were used as a tool of coercion in a sexual assault trial. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Taylor, who led the investigation, said Ilyas’s manipulation was “calculated and insidious,” targeting a young person who had sought guidance from a trusted community leader. “He weaponized faith against her,” Taylor said. “This wasn’t just an abuse of power—it was a violation of everything he was supposed to represent.”

Ilyas’s sentencing comes amid a broader review of safeguarding practices in UK mosques, prompted by a 2023 report that highlighted 23 cases of abuse by religious leaders in the past five years. The report, commissioned by the Muslim Council of Britain, called for mandatory training on child protection and clearer reporting mechanisms. In response, the Bradford Council of Mosques has pledged to introduce annual safeguarding workshops for imams and youth workers.

During the trial, the court heard how Ilyas’s wife, who was unaware of the abuse, testified that her husband had become “unusually distant” during the period of the assaults. She described him as “obsessed” with the victim, whom he referred to as his “special project.” Neighbors also told police they noticed the teenager frequently visiting the mosque late at night, something they later attributed to Ilyas’s manipulation. The victim’s family, who were unaware of the abuse until she reported it in 2023, have since moved to a different city for safety.

1. First — The victim initially confided in a teacher after noticing physical changes
2. Second — Police launched an investigation after the teacher reported concerns to social services
3. Third — The case was referred to the CPS, which built a timeline using digital evidence and victim testimony

Ilyas’s legal team argued that the victim’s belief in supernatural powers was a cultural misunderstanding, not coercion. However, Judge Wade dismissed this claim, stating that “regardless of cultural context, the law is clear: consent cannot be given under false pretenses.” The judge also noted that Ilyas’s position of authority amplified the gravity of his crimes. Ilyas will serve his sentence in a high-security prison and will be subject to lifelong sexual offender registration.